Jurgen Klopp discusses Darwin Nunez’s future in light of his ties to Barcelona.

In response to a question about whether Darwin Nunez, a striker linked to Barcelona, could leave the team during the forthcoming transfer window, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp answered furiously.

Throughout the 2023–24 season, the former Benfica striker has been a mainstay of the Reds’ starting lineup, with 52 appearances while contributing 18 goals and 13 assists.

Nunez has been criticised for his well-documented wastefulness and low big-chance conversion rate, despite his reasonable productivity and ability to add an element of unpredictability to Liverpool’s assaults.

The 24-year-old has only started for Liverpool in one of their past four Premier League games, and in the team’s 4-2 triumph against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, he squandered a golden opportunity to score as a substitute.

After making headlines for yet another attacking gaffe, Nunez deleted practically all of the Liverpool-related content from his Instagram account, fueling rumours that his time with the Reds may be running out.

“No rumours regarding Nunez’s future,” said Klopp.

The South American striker also seemed to ban a number of well-known Liverpool fan accounts on X, the platform that replaced Twitter, following reports that he was subjected to online harassment regarding his late-game miss in the Tottenham victory.

Although Nunez’s contract with Liverpool does not expire for another four seasons, it has been rumoured that the big boys of La Liga, Barcelona, are interested in signing him to replace Robert Lewandowski at Camp Nou.

But at a press conference prior to Monday’s Premier League away to Aston Villa, Klopp vehemently defended the attacker in the midst of his goal-scoring struggles, insisting that there is no truth to the Blaugrana rumours.

“I’m not aware of any conjecture regarding his future, so it must be outside speculation. There isn’t any speculation about it. We only have the circumstances we are in right now, so there is no speculation, but I am not interested in that anymore,” Klopp stated.

Darwin was undoubtedly unhappy about losing that opportunity [against Tottenham]. He was unlucky—let me say ‘was’ because that might have changed now, probably—into a lot of scenarios where he was doing everything well and the ball would still not go in, which is extremely difficult for a young man.

Agent told Barcelona ‘Nunez asking price’

It’s quite difficult. “He understands expectations; he sets high standards for himself. It’s difficult, and you have to deal with it. Going through it is the only option, and that is exactly what he is doing at the moment.

“We did everything we could to support him, but ultimately, you have to go through it. This is only a necessary part of a football player’s career; everyone has to experience it.”

Despite Klopp’s upbeat reaction, journalist Nicolas Saavedra (via Sport) asserts that Jorge Mendes, Nunez’s agent, is pressuring the striker to leave Anfield this summer and that Barcelona is aware of the requirements to sign him.

The Reds are rumoured to want at least €85 million (£73.1 million) in order to part ways with Nunez during the summer, but the former Benfica player is putting the forthcoming Copa America first and isn’t in a rush to make a decision.

Since moving from Benfica to Liverpool in 2022, Nunez has made 33 goals and 17 assists in 94 games. If all add-ons are fulfilled, his transfer fee may reach a club record of £85 million.

Prior to the 2024–25 season, Barcelona is also rumoured to make a bid for Luis Diaz, another attacker from Liverpool; however, Mohamed Salah, who is about to enter the final year of his contract, is anticipated to stay on Merseyside.